Singing since the age of five, R&B/Soul singer Shateish, from Virginia, joined her mother's gospel group, 'Evangelist Brinkley And The Gospel Pearls', at the age of eight and continued singing with them until the age of 19, when she decided to leave and pursue a future as an R&B artist. Her mother was her greatest influence, 'she taught me everything I know right now, you know, she taught me to always be myself when I sing, always feel it, always be humble', with her other great influence being Tina Turner, 'I love some Tina Turner. I love her music, I wish one day I could meet her and just do one song with her'. Other influences include Aretha Franklin, Patti LaBelle and Gladys Knight, 'all the people that bring that soul', and she hopes with her music to 'touch people, I want people to feel me, I want to write and make music where I know what other people are going through, I can relate to it...I'm just giving them something that they need to be healed, or, you know, or just to make it through the day'. In 2008, she featured on the Scarface track 'Still Here' from the 'Emeritus' album, and here she sings an Etta James-inspired, and Nottz produced, track, 'I'm Leavin'.